© ABC Coins & Tokens
© ABC Coins & Tokens
½ Penny Hampshire - Portsmouth / John Howard
1794 year| Copper | 10.66 g | 29 mm |
| Issuer | United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1794 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Conder tokens (1787-1797) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 10.66 g |
| Diameter | 29 mm |
| Thickness | 1.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#8692 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 58% |
Reverse
Arms of the borough of Portsmouth (the sun and moon over a triple-towered castle), with the Chichester arms over the entrance. Legend around, date below in double exergue
Script: Latin
Lettering:
PORTSMOUTH AND CHICHESTER.
HALF PENNY
1794
Edge
Plain with incuse legend
Lettering: PAYABLE AT SHARPS PORTSMOUTH AND CHALDECOTTS CHICHESTER
Comment
There are several obverse, reverse and edge varieties of this type, DH#53 - 55.Sharp & Chaldecott's Chichester & Portsmouth (Sussex) copper Conder halfpenny token dated 1794.
Thomas Chaldecott, a silversmith and cutler in Chichester - and Thomas Sharp, a mercer in Portsmouth - were probably relations or close friends, and issued joint tokens in both Portsmouth and Chichester.
Catalogue: D&H Sussex No: 20
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Token ½ Penny (Hampshire - Portsmouth / John Howard) 1794 from United Kingdom is that it was issued during a time of severe coinage shortages in the late 18th century. The coin was minted by a private individual, John Howard, who was a merchant and a member of the Portsmouth Corporation, and it was intended to serve as a substitute for the official copper coins that were in short supply. The coin's design features a portrait of John Howard on one side and the coat of arms of Portsmouth on the other, and it was made of copper, which was a relatively cheap and accessible metal at the time. Despite its unofficial status, the Token ½ Penny was widely accepted in trade and commerce in the Portsmouth area, and it remains a popular collector's item among numismatists today.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1794 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for ½ Penny (Hampshire - Portsmouth / John Howard) 1794 coin.
